While van Dijk has emerged as a class act at centre-back and a stick-on to be at the heart of the backline for as long as it takes for an English or European club to take him away, the jury is out on the rest.

The victory was the perfect tonic to their Catalan catastrophe, keeping them on track to qualify for next season's European competition. (Photo: Garry Williamson/SNS Group)

And, while it was Pukki who won the game against Hibs with his first goal since September, it was Biton who looked the real deal. The Israeli international has seen little top-team action since his £600,000 from FC Ashdod.

But after a couple of impressive domestic displays, Lennon hinted at his faith by giving him a taste of the big-time with a start in Barcelona.

While that was a harsh European grounding, Biton wasn’t scarred and took his chance to shine against Hibs.

Get one thing straight. He’s not Victor Wanyama. Biton is tall and gangly and doesn’t instantly strike you as a composed midfielder. But the 22-year-old has got it. Anyone who knows the first thing about the game could see that at the weekend with the mannerisms in his performance.

All the details were in order, although that shouldn’t be a surprise given the kid was skipper of Israel’s Under-21s and won the first of his six senior caps as a teen.

Israel are no footballing superpower but nor are they Andorra.

It must be said that Celtic’s diamond set-up against Hibs often gave them an extra man in the central midfield and provided the perfect platform for him to show up well. But that’s no use if you don’t know how to utilise the situation.

Biton had the awareness and know-how to do so.

Senior internationals Ledley and Scott Brown were in the mix but it was the youngster who was demanding the ball from his back four.

When the full-backs had nothing to hit down the channels, they stepped inside to see Biton the first man making himself available.

Upon receipt of possession, his touch was assured.

Generally, he kept it ticking. Moved it simple. Did the easy things correctly.

But on the occasions when there was a chance to pick a forward pass he could see it and Biton was astute enough to advance when spotting any space ahead.

However, perhaps even more impressive, was his game intelligence.

On two occasions in the second period, Efe Ambrose went for a customary wander out of the backline and, when possession was suddenly lost, found himself caught as Hibs hit on the counter.

Both times Biton had already spotted the danger of Ambrose leaving a huge gap and stepped back to cover the Nigerian’s backside.

And both times it was needed as he became the man who snuffed out the danger before Fraser Forster was needed.

Sure that was his job but the key is it looked so natural.

With respect to Hibs, the requirements were a far cry from what will be needed from Biton in the 2014-15 Champions League. But the basics are there and, on this evidence, Lennon looks to finally have a second signing from last summer on whom he can count. That comes in a handy area with Ledley looking like he’s off.

With van Dijk having already proved himself and Balde and Boerrigter not sighted, Pukki became the other signing with the chance to pick up the gauntlet slammed down by Lennon in the wake of the 6-1 thumping in Barcelona.

He won the game with a first-half finish at the near-post from Ledley’s cross for his first goal in a confidence-sapping run of 16 games for club and country.

But, while it is tough to take credit away from any player who wins a game for his team, Pukki was still unconvincing.

When a natural goalscorer sees a ball shuttled out to a raiding full-back and opposing defenders turned towards their own goal, he bursts his tail to hit the near-post area with a typical striker’s run.

On at least four occasions in the first period, Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre were those full-backs yet Pukki wasn’t making that very run. When he did it the one time he got his reward.

Pukki’s goal gave Celtic an interval lead they fully merited but unlike Hearts and Motherwell in their two previous domestic games, Hibs wouldn’t dissolve.

Terry Butcher’s team stayed in the game long enough to give themselves a chance in the last 20 minutes.

In that period, they almost snatched an unlikely point. Craig’s shot hit a post and Paul Cairney couldn’t get the rebound out of his feet to net before the skipper missed with a late-header from a set-play.

In truth, a point for Hibs, for all they restricted Celtic to long-range shots from Kris Commons after the break, would have been unfair on Celtic and certainly Biton, who earned his win bonus and put forward a strong case to stay in Lennon’s plans.